Are you moving to a new location? Perhaps entering your retirement? Or maybe embracing a minimalist lifestyle? For whatever reason, downsizing to a smaller home can be challenging.
If you are considering downsizing your home, renting an affordable self-storage unit can ease the process.
Self-Storage Speeds up the Process
When downsizing, there is a significant amount of time spent in going through the furniture, electronics, decorations, and all the other items that accumulate to determine what to take with you and what to dispose of.
An affordable self-storage unit allows you to sort all your belongings at your own pace. You can take all your essentials for your new home and store everything else in your self-storage unit. That way, you can make your final decisions when you’re settled in your new home.
Permanent Storage
Sentimental items such as photo albums, sports trophies, and old toys can take up a lot of space in your home. Store them in a secure and climate-controlled self-storage unit to maintain their sentimental value.
Self-storage units are ideal for storing items of almost any size. You might be reluctant to throw away chairs, tables, extra beds, and wardrobes that are still in good condition. Instead of selling these items, you can store them in self-storage units.
For Seasonal Items
Out-of-season clothing like coats and jackets can take up a lot of closet space in your new home. Your summer garden furniture or even your Halloween decorations might also not fit in a smaller home. When moving into a smaller home where seasonal items cannot fit, renting an affordable self-storage unit makes sense. Self-storage units provide a safe and secure environment for these precious seasonal items.
Self-Storage Units are an Asset for Frequent Travel
Some jobs require people to travel to different locations. If you are in the military, sales, or travel industry, you might travel frequently. In this case, it’s best to keep some of your items in a self-storage unit for guaranteed security. This option allows you to focus on carrying around your essentials then going back to your storage unit to pick up whatever you need whenever you need it.
Tips for Maximizing a Self-Storage Unit When Downsizing
Downsizing itself is a huge step for many people. Here are some valuable tips to help maximize a self-storage unit.
Make an Inventory: Plan your storage to ensure that your unit can fit all of your belongings. You can measure each appliance, storage box or crate, and piece of furniture to help you to choose the right size self-storage unit. Taking inventory is also sometimes necessary for insurance purposes in case of damage while transporting your belongings. Make a comprehensive list of all your items along with their corresponding value. If you number your boxes, you can create a spreadsheet of the items’ details on each box. Labeling your containers allows you to retrieve whatever you need quickly and easily.
Maximize the Size of Your Unit: Measuring all your items allows you to determine the right size for your self-storage unit. Another important step to maximizing storage space is to place essential items toward your unit’s front, which will enable you to pull them out quickly when you need them. You should also plan your unit to provide a clear path between the boxes to reach items farther back.
Preparing Items for Storage: It is important to wrap all your belongings for extra protection when preparing them for storage. Make sure to disassemble furniture when possible to maximize storage space. Use cardboard to protect the screens and glass panels. If you don’t have cardboard, packing tape and blankets can cushion them when moving and storing. You can also use bubble wrap for small items like kitchenware and decorations.
The pros at Lone Star Self-Storage are happy to work with you to find the perfect unit for your needs. Call us today at (512) 444-4232.